The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1887-11-02

the release of President Davis" and
echoed Mrs. Dovning's touching appea
wien size begged that johnson "woult
give to Us JEFF Davis back again; releas
! him for 6 Christmas present and thu
accomplish what he never had dole-th
sabjugation OF the Southern women.
When at length "hope deferred hat
made the heart SICK, TIE glad tiding.
were flashed through the country, "Jcf
Davis has been released" I thanked
God and wept for Joy, and Horace
Greeley is one Yankee for whom retair
warm place in my heart. Whatever
the motive, J. thank and honor him fol
that one action, which ennobled his life.
| hope I nay live to see and thank hin
for giving security for ssour President.
A select committee OF the New York
Union League called meeting to take
action upon Mr. Greely's conduct. Re
plying to their letter he "dared them tc
expel him" He began his letter
"Gcntlemen, I shall not attend youl
meeting this evening l have an engage.
meut cut OF town and shall keep it. ]
do not recognize you as capable Of
judging, or even fully apprehending me.
You evidently regard me as a weak SEN
timentalist, misled by q maudlin philos.
ophy. l arraign you as narrow-minded
blockheads. That was bold letter.
attended club meeting at-on
Thursday night. While conversing with
AIr. Carter he quietly remarked that Mr..
Davis was il Augusta. "What, Presi-
dent Davis?" I said, in tones OF glad
surprise. He told NE Eyes" Il will
certainly go the city in the morning and
take JEFF with me-" I remarked. Later
in the evening group consisting Of Mr..
Carter and others were converslng.
Others Joined us, to whom told the
good news, and there was ring Of ex-
u.tation and pride in my voice as | told
them jeff Davis was il Augusta. "
Looking up I saw that one Of our North
ern guests was seated near me; but what
cared L, as remarked: 81 am so anxi-
Gus to see him-I do so houor and
reverence his name ssAIr. Davis owes
tue estimation which the Southern peo-
pie hold him in to his long imprison-
ment," remarked Mr.. Garter. This
p;qued me. "You must admit that he
paid high price to gain this admira-
tion," replied. eyes" he admitted,
"but JEFF Davis ought to thank God foc
his being a prisoner. Had this not been
the case he would have gone to his grave
unhonored and ursung." ''Why, Mr..
Carter, I am astonished, ;" T replied, "but
I confess, I cannot argue coolly with
you, only know that his long impris-
onment has endt red him to all true
Southern women. Mr.. Davis has faults.
as who has not?"
Just then some ore called Mr.. Bruce
to form quadrille, and then l expos
triatel with Mr.. Carter, who IS a minis
ter, for speaking ii disparagirg terms Of
r9ss N9s=5;s 4t,4sores u .l:ec md IL tones
cf bitterness could not prevent, l rc-
marked, Gone might possibly imagine
Mr.. Davis as going to his grave un-
honcred and unsung by Southern peo-
ple, when we see Confederate officers
ignore the title which is their highest
honor. Why, were 1 man who had
been in service, I should claim my rank,
from corporal to major general, as
the Sadge OF distinction by which [
should wish to be known by all men,"
Abiding to my remark, "that Mr..
Davis called the Southern women "the
dear daughters of his people, ;" Mr..
Carter said, "That was so much like Mr..
Davis. %
"Why do you object to it," said 1.
for by this time all the enthusiasm OF
my nature was aroused; "you are g
minister; you speak of your con2rega-
tion as your people, they are more yours
than mine; just so, Mr.. Davis alluded to
the Southern people as his people; they
are more his than yours, and l delight
to love, to honor and reverence him.
Mr.. Davis is the only man living whom
I should feel willing to kiss the hand OF
and feel honored in SO doing"
I smiled as realized how far my wo-
mans love of hero worship, combined
with my indignation, had carried me,
and our conversation Was changed by
mutual consent, rot until MIR. Carter he'd
expressed sufficiently high opinion OF
Mr.. Davis to satisfy even my wish to DO
him homage.
Yesterday morning Turner rode into
the city and JEFF ard I drove IN the
buggy. We hoped to see Mr.. Davis.
The morning was beautiful, and as
memories of the past-the Confederate
past-thronged my mind, they were
softened by the presence OF beautiful
nature. JEFF and I talked, and he sang
snatches of little songs, and as We drove
through the ssDouble Branches" we
watched the fish as they glided by, and
my heart had singularly uplifted feel
ing and an ever present sense OF the
goodness Of God.
Arriving in the city I read that Presi-
dent Davis would have reception from
twelve until two o'clock. Accompanied
hv Turner, JEFF and Mary Vason, We
called at the Planters Hotel. Colonel
Snead met US at the door, and We waited
a few moments until party who had
been introduced finished their converse,
ton. els that President Davis?" [ en-
ouired, as T saw gentleman bow to an
introd action. ayes, wouldn't you have
known him by his picture?" "No," /
replied, sshe is much better looking
Younger looking" Just then the Presi-
dent turned, and Colonel Snead intro.
duced us. I shook hands with him, ana
for the moment forgot all else IN the
great content of an accomplished hope.
Drawing my little boy to nc l intro
duced him as "Jef Davis Thomas. lie
took Jeff's hand II his, drew him closely
to him and held there, with his arn
around him, 81 cannot tell you,
madame, how highly I appreciate this
compliment, said he. My heart warm
4 L: .o.,,>4;o-, of Tnfr ocT 7 o63iI